Intelligence quotient and cognitive functions in severe restricting-type anorexia nervosa before and after weight gain.

OBJECTIVE

Restricting-type anorexia nervosa (AN-R), characterized by severe emaciation with long-term food restriction, is often difficult to treat. The present study investigated the overall intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and cognitive functions of patients with AN-R.

METHODS

Fourteen female inpatients with AN-R (body mass index 12.84 ± 0.41 kg/m²) and 10 healthy female participants participated in this study from 2007 through 2010. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Third Edition and the Eating Disorder Inventory-II were administered. This research was performed at Kagoshima University Hospital.

RESULTS

In the AN-R group, overall IQ scores showed borderline intelligence (e.g., full-scale IQ 75.86 ± 1.79, P < 0.01); the scores were significantly lower than those in the comparison group. There were negative correlations between lower IQs and higher Eating Disorder Inventory-II scores. After the weight restoration, the IQ scores of subjects with AN-R with regard to the visuospatial scales were significantly higher than before (P < 0.01); however, the auditory cognitive scores were unchanged.

CONCLUSION

These lower IQ scores could be connected to the psychological and behavioral traits in patients with AN-R. These problems should be considered by medical staff members who seek to treat patients with AN-R successfully.